Yip Harburg wrote, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” He was born in New York to Russian Jewish immigrants. His real name was Isidore Hochberg, and he grew up in a traditional Orthodox Jewish family. Harold Arlen, the son of a cantor, was also born in Lithuania. The song has become a classic American song and a perennial favorite.
Judy Garland’s performance
It is hard to forget the iconic Judy Garland in the movie “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The actress, known for her dazzling stage and screen performances, is portrayed in an incredible performance by Renee Zellweger. Zellweger’s Judy captures Garland’s expression and mannerisms perfectly. It is a remarkable performance for a movie based on the Tony-nominated stage play End of a Rainbow.
The song first debuted in 1939 with The Wizard of Oz. Composed by Harold Arlen, it gained more poignancy during World War II. Judy Garland performed the song live for American soldiers in 1943. Besides the film, soldiers also received a recording featuring the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. In addition to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” the singer also sang a version of “A Tisket a Tasket,” “Life Has Funny Little Ups and Downs,” and “Singin’ In The Rain.”
Trisha Yearwood is also performing a version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The Academy of Sciences and Motion Picture Arts and the National Gallery of Canada will present a virtual concert for the movie on June 10 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The event honors Judy Garland and her legacy and features the actress’s children. In addition to Wainwright, the film features the sister of Judy Garland and Kristin Chenoweth.
Garland performed a little-known intro to the song during her one public performance of the song. Her song performance is a classic, enduring, and moving tribute to the legend. And, unlike Judy Garland, Wainwright was no stranger to audience members. In addition to her enduring role as Judy Garland’s face, she received two other Grammy nominations.
The film also features a stunning performance by Joan Crawford. The movie’s soundtrack, which includes Garland’s songs, sounds fantastic, and she performs impeccably. It also features some incredible visual effects. George Cukor’s film editing and lighting effects make the music eerily alive. The film also features some of the most beautiful scenes in the history of Hollywood. Despite its reliance on images, the film’s soundtrack is still worth checking out.
Yip Harburg’s lyrics
Over the rainbow was written by Frank Baum and Yip Harburg in 1939. Although it does not mention the rainbow, it points out the common social problems in America. For example, the movie’s plot starts with a black-and-white world where Kansas and the characters do not have any color. Hence, the song title was born. Yip and his team changed the storyline to reflect these issues.
The song’s producers analyzed the lyrics for political and subversive meanings. One song, Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe,” is a homage to Joseph Stalin. The song also makes a joking reference to the McCarthy era, perhaps the darkest period in American history. Ultimately, Yip Harburg is a hero and a martyr.
One of Pink’s most famous songs was deeply rooted in Jewish culture, with the lyrics written by Yip Harburg, a Russian Jewish immigrant. His real name was Isidore Hochberg, and his family spoke Yiddish. Interestingly, Harold Arlen, a Lithuanian-American, was the singer who performed the song. The song has become an American icon.
You can interpret the song in thousands of ways. There have been country, doo-wop, R’n’B, Euro-rave, and even ukulele versions. A Ukulele player, Israel Kamakawoole, has even sung it. The lyrics are as varied as the music. The timeless song can be performed by anyone, from a rock star to a child.
As well as a timeless American classic, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was written by an anti-racist composer. He was on the blacklist during the McCarthy period for his anti-racism statements. While he became most famous for his lyrics for the Wizard of Oz, he had other hits on Broadway, which showcased his lyrical genius. Despite the political climate at the time, he wrote music that made a powerful statement about class, race, and racism.
Harold Arlen’s lyrics
In the early days of Hollywood, the movie “Wizard of Oz” featured songs by Judy Garland. As one of the few films not to feature female vocals dubbed over male ones, Garland’s performance in the movie was the most memorable of her career. Harold Arlen wrote the film’s score and was essential to the Great American Songbook. His songs were a staple of the Great American Songbook, and he was responsible for the enduring popularity of such songs as “Let’s Fall in Love.”
The twentieth-century famous song “Over the Rainbow,” describes a world without gloomy clouds. The escapist message of the lyrics is particularly appealing to people of Jewish heritage, and generations of audiences have interpreted the song as an anthem for the plight of the Jewish people in the Holocaust. This rendition of the song has been viewed more than a billion times on YouTube. After emigrating to the United States, Austrian-born American composer Walter Aptowitzer adopted Arlen’s surname.
Gershwin and Yip approved of “Over the Rainbow,” but almost twice removed it from the film due to concerns it was too mature for a twelve-year-old.
Filmmakers also feared that the music would slow down the plot. But Garland, a child when she sang the song, nailed its innocence. The song was a smash hit, and Garland made over twelve films before the movie was released.
Glee’s cover
Matthew Morrison, Pink, and Nicolas David have covered “Over the Rainbow” since it first hit the charts. But Paltrow has become known more for her musical performances than her movie roles. In a new video for the song, she has teamed up with Glee actor Matthew Morrison, who plays Will Schuester on the hit Fox comedy show. The two have previously sung together on the front and shared an onscreen kiss.
